Mobile location aware search engine and method of providing content for same

ABSTRACT

A method includes identifying a geographic position of a wireless device. Data input by a user while the user is located at the geographic position of the wireless device is received. The data is associated with a landmark at the geographic position. The data is provided to a database based on the geographic position. A wireless device includes a transmitter configured to transmit a geographic position of the wireless device to a database. A receiver is configured to receive data input by a user of the wireless device while the user is located at the geographic position of the wireless device. The data is associated with a landmark at the geographic position of the wireless device. The receiver is configured to automatically receive information associated with the landmark from the database.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/249,733, entitled “Mobile Location-Aware SearchEngine and Method of Providing Content for Same,” filed Oct. 14, 2005,which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/618,748, entitled “Mobile Location-AwareSearching Engine and Method of Providing Content for Same,” filed onOct. 15, 2004, each of the disclosures of which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/639,265 entitled “Global Positioning-Based Real EstateDatabase Access Device and Method,” which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/186,155 filed Feb. 29, 2000. Thisapplication is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/644,060 entitled “System and Method for ProvidingInformation Based On Geographic Position,” filed Aug. 20, 2003, whichclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/404,776 entitled “System and Method for Providing PositionInformation,” filed on Aug. 21, 2002, and which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/774,119entitled “Position-Based Information Access Device and Method ofSearching,” filed on Jan. 31, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/639,265 entitled “GlobalPositioning-Based Real Estate Database Access Device and Method,” filedon Aug. 15, 2000, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/186,155 entitled “GlobalPositioning-Based Real Estate Database Access Device and Method,” filedon Feb. 29, 2000. Each of the above applications are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety. This application is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/774,119entitled “Position-Based Information Access device and Method ofsearching,” filed Jan. 31, 2001, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/639,265, filed Aug. 15, 2000and entitled “Global Positioning-Based Real Estate Database AccessDevice and Method,” which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/186,155 entitled “GlobalPositioning-Based Real Estate Database Access Device and Method,” filedon Feb. 29, 2000, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a device for accessing an informationdatabase, and, more particularly, to a device and system that uses aninformation database to access information about a landmark that islocated at a geographic position where the device is located.

People often desire to obtain information about a particular location atwhich they are located, whether it be a famous or historic landmark, anoffice building, a business location, a piece of real estate, anairport, a hotel, shopping mall, a sports arena, a tropical rain forest,a redwood forest, a mountain range, a river, a single island or a stringof islands, a war zone, or a hostage area. The traditional methods ofobtaining such information include using printed materials such as guidebooks, maps, etc., communicating with people knowledgeable about theparticular location, and researching the particular location eitherbefore or after being physically present at the location.

Such methods of obtaining information may significantly detract from theperson's ability to appreciate or experience the location at which theyare present. Put more simply, the person may not be able to gather oraccess enough information about the location because it is not readilyavailable. Additionally, the person may not be able to accessinformation about the location that is based on time. For example, if aperson is visiting a famous landmark at a time when there are no tourguides available and the local gift shop is closed, the person may notbe able to obtain valuable information about the landmark. While tourguides typically are associated with famous landmarks, landmarks as usedin this context may be a famous or non-famous landmark, including, butnot limited to the following types of landmarks: a historic area, anamusement park, a house, a restaurant, a store, etc. Although the personmay be able to get location-centric information later, that isn't alwaysa suitable alternative. Even in the event where a person is able toobtain printed materials, they are often cumbersome to carry around andread through while traveling from place to place. Moreover, as a personvisits numerous locations, they tend to accumulate vast amounts ofprinted materials.

Another example in which location-specific, or time sensitiveinformation is not readily obtained is during a real estate search. Thetraditional method of buying real estate requires the prospectivepurchaser to transact through a real estate broker for virtually everyaspect of the transaction, from finding a desired property to completingthe sale. Often the most difficult part of the process, from the buyer'sperspective, is locating a desired piece of real estate. There aregenerally two methods employed to locate a desired piece of property.

The first method relies solely on the real estate broker to use his orher contacts, including listing services, to locate property that meetsthe buyer's specifications. The second is more random, in that if abuyer happens to pass a piece of property that is displaying a “forsale” sign, the buyer can write down the phone number shown on the signto later inquire about the property, which then places the transactiontotally within the broker's hands, as the broker controls all theinformation relating to the property (e.g., size and cost).

People are also often interested in gaining information about what aparticular business has to offer. For example, when a person is locatednear a particular business they may want to know more information aboutthe business. For example, a person may want to know such things as,what types of items a store offers, what specials or sales are occurringat a store, what type of food or menu items a restaurant offers, just toname a few. In addition, after visiting a particular business orlandmark a person may want to share information about their experience.For example, a person may want to provide a review of a restaurant orstore so that others can be better informed when they visit thatbusiness.

There are systems that relate to an address retrieval system based onthe position of a cellular telephone. A cell phone user can requestinformation relating to businesses that are located in the proximity ofthe user, based upon the geographic position of the user as determinedby pinpointing the location of the cell phone. Once the location of theuser is determined, a database that is keyed on geographic location issearched, looking for businesses of the type requested by the user(e.g., restaurants, gas stations, hotels, etc.) that are located in thearea around the user. The system disclosed in the '699 patent may informa user about a location of a restaurant (or other service location), butdoes not give the user real-time information pertaining to tableavailability, hours of operation, current specials.

Other systems include a mobile computer system having a built-in globalpositioning system (GPS) locator and an associated database thatdisplays relevant information to the user based upon the user's currentlocation. The database is accessed in real time as the user's positionchanges and is primarily focused on task-based information. For example,if a stored task is to buy milk, as the user approaches the grocerystore, he or she is reminded to buy milk.

Thus, a need exists for a system and method of obtaining informationabout a landmark located near a user's current location, and forreceiving information about the landmark from a user while the user islocated near the landmark.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method includes identifying a geographic position of a wirelessdevice. Data is input by a user while the user is located at thegeographic position of the wireless device is received. The data isassociated with a landmark at the geographic position. The data isprovided to a database based on the geographic position. A wirelessdevice includes a transmitter configured to transmit a geographicposition of the wireless device to a database. A receiver is configuredto receive data input by a user of the wireless device while the user islocated at the geographic position of the wireless device. The data isassociated with a landmark at the geographic position of the wirelessdevice. The receiver is configured to automatically receive informationassociated with the landmark from the database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method includes identifying a geographic position of a wirelessdevice. Data is input by a user while the user is located at thegeographic position of the wireless device. The data input by the useris associated with a landmark at the geographic position. The data isprovided to a database based on the geographic position. A wirelessdevice includes a transmitter configured to transmit a geographicposition of the wireless device to a database. A receiver is configuredto receive data input by a user of the wireless device while the user islocated at the geographic position of the wireless device. The data isassociated with a landmark at the geographic position of the wirelessdevice. The receiver is further configured to automatically receiveinformation associated with the landmark from the database.

A system includes a location aware search engine that identifies auser's geographic location and then delivers information associated witha landmark at that location to the user.

The system can work with global positioning satellite (GPS) technology,or other location technologies such as triangulation or WiMAX. Thesystem includes a map, code, and a load process where informationassociated with any property and geographic location in the UnitedStates (as well as other global locations and properties) can be addedinto a database. The system can provide information about a property orlandmark, such as the uses/functions contained within the property. Forexample, the system can provide information about retailers or culturalinstitutions that inhabit a particular property space or landmark andwhat special items they may have to offer.

A landmark as used herein can include any type of property such as abuilding, a house, a stadium, a park, etc., and can include a businessestablishment or non-business establishment, such as an individual home.

A mobile or wireless device can be used to access a database to searchfor information, promotions, and events at landmarks relative to wherethe user is physically located. The system requires limited typing asthe system uses location-detecting technology, such as through anoperative communication with a GPS satellite, to identify where the useris standing. The system provides for the user to be able to inputinformation associated with a landmark while the user is located at thegeographic location of that landmark.

Location-based services (LBS), such as the system described herein, canhelp link the virtual world of the Internet with the physical world inwhich people live. Through the use of mobile devices, a user can accessa corresponding region of cyberspace related to where they arephysically located. In this manner, the system links the user to a vaultof information based on where the user is located.

With the system of the invention, businesses and organizations cansatisfy specific consumer needs at specific moments and locations. Forexample, instead of just looking along the street on which the user iswalking at what is visible, the system makes it possible for a user toobtain information about a particular property or business automaticallywhen the user is located at that property or business. Such informationcan include, for example, interesting events, special sales on gifts,and fashions available at retail stores. The system also providesinformation related to educational activities, poetry readings, winetasting, and last minute tickets to a play. Other examples includeinformation related to historical sites and buildings, and informationabout a specific building, such as when it was built, what it was usedfor 100 years ago, who the architect was, etc. The system can alsoprovide selected literature or passages, such as a passage from theDeclaration of Independence.

Information about restaurants and bars or other establishments can alsobe provided. The system can provide a 24/7 self-guided informationsource for locating the best restaurants and bars in the user'svicinity. Thus, data can be provided through a number of differentsources that can be uploaded to the system.

In one embodiment, the system can be organized into categories. Forexample, information can be grouped into categories based on the type ofinformation, or type of business. The categories can also be furtherdivided into sub-categories. In some embodiments, the system can be usedto provide information about a particular property, such as who did thelandscaping, or other contractor service. A sign-maker, for example, caninput into the system the location of his best work(s).

As another example, landlords can input information about apartmentsavailable for rent. For example, when a user is located outside aparticular apartment building, the user can access the system to findout if there is any availability. A user can also access the system tofind out locations where apartments are available. A user can inputinformation about a particular apartment after having toured theapartment, while the user is located at the geographic location of theapartment. The device will identify where the user's device is locatedand provide the geographic position and information being input to thedatabase. In other words, based on the location of the device, theinformation input by the user is uploaded to the database and associatedwith that particular landmark at that location.

The system can also provide a place for homeowners to advertise theirhome “for sale by owner.” The system can also be a tool for realtors.For example, a realtor can place an advertisement such as, This propertyis not for sale, but I can find you one just like it. I've sold 30 homesin this neighborhood. Call Stan the real estate man at 555-555-5555. Theadvertisement can be viewed on a user's wireless device as they walk ordrive past a certain property.

The system can also be used together with other services such aspartnering with a yellow pages provider or other Internet websiteowners. For example, a yard sale finder could be included and usedtogether with the classified section of the local newspaper. Data couldbe provided automatically from the local newspaper to the system on aprearranged update basis, for example daily, weekly or within some otherdesired time interval, to capture new classified advertisements placedin the newspaper. Thus, a user can log onto the system from their cellphone or other wireless device to locate a yard sale near where the useris physically located. Directions to the yard sale can also be provided.Information about that yard sale, such as items for sale, prices, etc.can be provided. For example, a user can go to a yard sale and input a“review” of the yard sale such as, “This yard sale has tons of greatCD's.” That information, which is input while the user is at the yardsale, is uploaded based on the geographic position of the user.Accordingly, the information/review is associated with that particularlocation. When a subsequent user retrieves the classified ad about theyard sale, the user can also be provided with the review of the yardsale. The review/additional information can either be providedautomatically or selectively based on user preference. For example, auser may be given the option of retrieving reviews. The scenariodescribed above can also be associated with a restaurant, retail outlet,museum, house, etc.

The system allows businesses, individuals, cultural organizations, andother users to enter data directly into the system through a designatedInternet website or by telephone. For example, a user of a wirelessdevice can input data associated with a property or landmark into thedevice and the information can be uploaded to a database. Thisinformation can made available to other users through the system. Thesystem also provides for users to input data from other locations, suchas from a home computer, an office etc. The system can automaticallygeocode the location associated with the information input by the userand provide the information to other users.

With the system, a user of a wireless device, such as a cell-phone orpersonal data assistant (PDA), can receive information from a databaseautomatically as they, for example, they walk past a particular landmarkor property. A user can also request information from the database justas they would a game from their wireless carrier. A user can alsoperform searches on the database.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system according to anembodiment of the invention. The system 10 includes a device 20 having atransmitter 22 and a receiver 24, and an information database 26. Thedevice 20 can be, for example, a wireless and/or mobile electronicdevice such as a mobile telephone or a PDA or alternatively the device20 can be a non-mobile or non-wireless device such as a personalcomputer. The device 20 can be in communication with the informationdatabase 26 through a network such as the Internet. The device 20 canalso be in communication and operable with a GPS satellite 28 via thereceiver 24. Alternatively, the device 20 can include other locationtechnology such as triangulation or WiMAX. The receiver 24 can include,for example, a wide area augmentation system (WAAS) digital globalpositioning system (DGPS).

The database 26 can be accessible by a user 34 of a device 20 andmultiple other users (e.g., users of devices 120 and 220 illustrated inFIG. 1). The database 26 can also be accessed by non-mobile devices,such as a personal computer, to, for example, upload information intothe database. Although three devices 20, 120 and 220 are illustrated inFIG. 1, any number of devices 20 can be in communication with thedatabase 26 through a network. Thus, multiple users can accessinformation stored within the database 26, and input data into thedatabase 26.

The database 26 includes a processor 30. The processor 30 can be, forexample, a commercially available personal computer, or a less complexcomputing or processing device that is dedicated to performing one ormore specific tasks. For example, the processor 30 can be a terminaldedicated to providing an interactive graphical user interface (GUI).The processor 30, according to one or more embodiments of the invention,can be a commercially available microprocessor. Alternatively, theprocessor 30 can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) ora combination of ASICs, which are designed to achieve one or morespecific functions, or enable one or more specific devices orapplications. In yet another embodiment, the processor 30 can be ananalog or digital circuit, or a combination of multiple circuits.

The processor 30 can include a memory component 32. The memory component32 can include one or more types of memory. For example, the memorycomponent 32 can include a read only memory (ROM) component and a randomaccess memory (RAM) component. The memory component 32 can also includeother types of memory that are suitable for storing data in a formretrievable by the processor 30. For example, electronicallyprogrammable read only memory (EPROM), erasable electronicallyprogrammable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, as well as othersuitable forms of memory can be included within the memory component 32.The processor 30 can also include a variety of other components, such asfor example, co-processors, graphic processors, etc., depending upon thedesired functionality of the code.

The processor 30 is in communication with the memory component 32, andcan store data in the memory component 32 or retrieve data previouslystored in the memory component 32. The components of the processor 30can communicate with devices external to the processor 30 by way of aninput/output (I/O) component (not shown). According to one or moreembodiments of the invention, the I/O component can include a variety ofsuitable communication interfaces. For example, the I/O component caninclude, for example, wired connections, such as standard serial ports,parallel ports, universal serial bus (USB) ports, S-video ports, localarea network (LAN) ports, small computer system interface (SCCI) ports,and so forth. Additionally, the I/O component can include, for example,wireless connections, such as infrared ports, optical ports, Bluetooth®wireless ports, wireless LAN ports, or the like. The network to whichthe processor 30 is connected can be physically implemented on awireless or wired network, on leased or dedicated lines, including avirtual private network (VPN).

The device 20 also includes a processor (not shown in FIG. 1) asdescribed above for the database. The processor can include acomputer-readable medium storing code to execute the functions describedherein. The device 20 also includes a display (not shown in FIG. 1)configured to display data received at the device 20 and provide userinteraction. The display can be, for example, a touch-screen. The device20 can also include an input device, such as a stylus, or a keypadportion for entering data.

A method of use of a system 10 is illustrated in the flowchart of FIG.2. At step 50 a geographic position of a wireless device 20 operated bya user 34 is identified. As described above, this identification caninclude communication with a GPS satellite to identify longitude andlatitude coordinates for the geographic position of the device 20. Thegeographic position can then be transmitted to a database 26 at step 52.At step 54, data associated with one or more landmarks at the geographicposition is received at the device 20 from the database 26. The data canbe automatically transmitted from the database 26 to the device 20 basedon the geographic position of the device 20. For example, when thedevice 20 (operated by a user) is located at a geographic position, suchas when the user is standing by a landmark at the geographic position,data associated with the landmark can be automatically sent to thedevice 20. A user can also request information about a landmark at thegeographic position for which the user is located by inputting a requestinto the device 20 at step 56. The device 20 can receive the request andtransmit it to the database at step 58. Where there are multiplelandmarks at a given geographic position, the device 20 can display anidentity for each landmark and provide information about all of thelandmarks at step 60. The user can select one of the landmarks whenmaking a request. For example, a list of identities for multiplelandmarks can be automatically transmitted to the device 20 from thedatabase 26, and the user can select one of the landmarks to obtainfurther information about the landmark.

At step 62 the user can input data into the device via a user interface(e.g., keypad, stylus, touch-screen), and at step 64 the device 20 cantransmit the data to the database 26. This allows information about alandmark to be loaded into the database in real-time and made availableto other users of the database 26 as described above.

Conclusion

While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, itshould be understood that they have been presented by way of exampleonly, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the inventionshould not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents. While the invention has been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood that various changes in form and details may be made.

1. A method, comprising: identifying a geographic position of a wirelessdevice; receiving data input by a user while the user is located at thegeographic position of the wireless device, the data including a reviewassociated with a landmark at the geographic position; and providing thedata to a database based on the geographic position.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the identifying a geographic position includesidentifying latitude and longitude coordinates associated with thelandmark.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is associated witha sale of the landmark.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data isfurther associated with an advertisement associated with the landmark.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: based on the identifying,automatically receiving location-centric information associated with thelandmark from the database while the user is located at the geographicposition.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving arequest from the user for information associated with the landmark; andtransmitting the request to the database.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the landmark is a first landmark from a plurality of landmarks,the method further comprising: displaying an identity for a plurality oflandmarks located at the geographic position.
 8. A processor-readablemedium storing code representing instructions to cause a processor toperform a process, the code comprising code to: identify a geographicposition of a wireless device; receive data input by a user while theuser is at the geographic position of the wireless device, the dataincluding a review associated with a landmark at the geographicposition; and provide the data to a database based on the geographicposition.
 9. The processor-readable medium of claim 8, wherein theidentify a geographic position includes identify a latitude and alongitude coordinate associated with the landmark.
 10. Theprocessor-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the data is furtherassociated with a sale associated with the landmark.
 11. Theprocessor-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the data is associatedwith an advertisement associated with the landmark.
 12. Theprocessor-readable medium of claim 8, further comprising code to: basedon the identified geographic position, automatically receive informationassociated with the landmark from the database when the wireless deviceis located at the geographic position.
 13. The processor-readable mediumof claim 8, further comprising code to: receive a request from the userfor information associated with the landmark; and transmit the requestto the database.
 14. The processor-readable medium of claim 8, whereinthe landmark is a first landmark from a plurality of landmarks, theprocessor-readable medium further comprising code to: display anidentity for a plurality of landmarks located at the geographicposition.
 15. A wireless device, comprising: a transmitter configured totransmit a geographic position of the wireless device to a database; anda receiver configured to receive data input by a user of the wirelessdevice while the user is located at the geographic position of thewireless device, the data associated with a review of a landmark at thegeographic position of the wireless device, the receiver configured toautomatically receive information associated with the landmark from thedatabase.
 16. The wireless device of claim 15, further comprising: adisplay configured to display the received information associated withthe landmark, and an input device.
 17. A system, comprising: aninformation database including location-centric information; and awireless device configured to provide a geographic position of thewireless device to the database and to receive from the databaselocation-centric information associated with a landmark at thegeographic position when the wireless device is located at thegeographic location, the information database configured toautomatically associate the data with the geographic positionsubstantially simultaneously with the transmitted data being uploaded tothe database.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the landmark is afirst landmark from a plurality of landmarks, the wireless device isconfigured to display information associated with the first landmarkfrom the plurality of landmarks based on an input by the user.
 19. Amethod, comprising: receiving a geographic position associated with alocation of a wireless device; receiving data input by a user of thewireless device while the user is located at the geographic position,the data associated with at least one landmark at the geographicposition; and automatically associating the data with the geographicposition substantially simultaneously with the transmitted data beinguploaded to the database.
 20. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising: receiving a request from the wireless device, the requestassociated with a landmark from the at least one landmarks at thegeographic location.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the data inputby a user includes a review associated with a landmark from the at leastone landmarks.
 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:automatically transmitting location-centric information associated withthe at least one landmark to the wireless device when the wirelessdevice is located at the geographic position.